Sentience Theory

Sentience Theory suggests that the capacity to experience subjective feelings—such as pleasure, pain, and awareness—is morally significant. It emphasizes that beings capable of these experiences deserve moral consideration, regardless of their other attributes like intelligence or abilities. In essence, the theory centers on the idea that sentience, not other traits, is the key criterion for moral relevance, guiding decisions about how humans and animals should be treated based on their ability to have conscious experiences.